OBJECTIVES: Constipation is the most common GI symptom in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Importantly, patients with constipation have lower health-related quality of life than those without constipation. Effective therapies for constipation are limited and there is a paucity of data evaluating the treatment of constipation in diabetics. METHODS: Diabetic patients with chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) as defined by Rome III criteria were recruited from outpatient clinics at a tertiary-care center and a Veterans Administration Hospital...

OBJECTIVE: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after a drowning episode is performed under fatigue conditions. However, the characterization of CPR in this context is still unknown. Our purpose was to investigate the effect of a 100-m simulated in-water rescue on CPR and physiological parameters in trained certified lifeguards. METHODS: Thirty trained certified lifeguards (age 24.6 ± 3.8 yrs; height 178.2 ± 7.4 cm and weight 76.9 ± 10.6 kg) completed two protocols using an adult manikin: (i) 4-min CPR after 4-min baseline conditions (CPR), and (ii) 4-min CPR after a 100-m simulated in-water rescue in the sea (CPR Rescue), both with a compression-ventilation ratio of 30:2...

The relationship between functional abdominal pain (FAP) and occult constipation (OC) in children who did not meet the Rome III criteria for constipation has rarely been reported. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of OC in patients with FAP and to compare the effectiveness of prokinetic drugs and laxatives for FAP and OC. Pediatric outpatients (n = 212; aged 4-15 years) who satisfied the Rome III criteria for childhood FAP were divided into 2 groups based on Leech scores: group 1 < 8; group 2 ≥ 8...

PURPOSE: Numerous studies have investigated the prevalence of constipation and fecal incontinence (FI) in the general population and, even though these disorders are known to co-occur, they were studied independently of each other. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence of constipation and FI, and their co-occurrence, in the general population in the Netherlands. METHODS: We studied a cross-section of the Dutch population (N = 1259). All respondents completed the Groningen Defecation & Fecal Continence checklist...

BACKGROUND: ONO-2952 is a novel and selective inhibitor of translocator protein 18 kDa that reduces stress-induced defecation and visceral hyperalgesia in rat models. AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ONO-2952 in females with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea in an exploratory proof-of-concept study. METHODS: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted at 49 US centres. Two hundred subjects with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea (Rome III criteria) were randomised to ONO-2952 20 mg, or 60 mg, or placebo...

OBJECTIVES: We sought to describe the prevalence of the overlap of functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) in children with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), a condition we have designated as IBD-FAPD. We also aimed to describe the psychological profile of this group, assess predictors of disease and the impact of IBD-FAPD on quality of life. METHODS: This cross-sectional prospective study included patients aged 8-18 years with a diagnosis of IBD. Disease activity was assessed by physician's global assessment, laboratory studies, and aPCDAI or PUCAI scoring...

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of chronic constipation (CC) skews toward female predominance, yet men make up an important component of those suffering from CC. We sought to determine whether there are sex-specific differences in symptoms and physiologic parameters on anorectal manometry (ARM). METHODS: We performed a case-control analysis of sequential men and age-matched women (2:1 ratio) presenting for ARM as part of the evaluation of CC. We collected physiologic parameters derived from 3D high-resolution ARM in addition to the ROME III constipation module and the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory 20 (PFDI-20) questionnaires...

AIM: The study aimed in a multicentric randomised controlled trial to define the role of a more extensive mucosal resection on recurrence of mucosal prolapse in patients with stage III haemorrhoids undergoing stapled haemorrhoidopexy . METHOD: 135 patients were randomised to treatment with PPH01/03 or an EEA stapler. They were reviewed after a minimum follow-up of four years to determine the rate of recurrent mucosal prolapse, and general condition (Wellness evaluation score)...

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The existence of non-celiac gluten sensitivity has been debated. Indeed, the intestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms of many patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but without celiac disease or wheat allergy have been shown to improve on a gluten-free diet. Therefore, this study set out to evaluate the effects of gluten on IBS symptoms. METHODS: We performed a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled rechallenge trial in a tertiary care hospital with IBS patients who fulfilled the Rome III criteria...

This study aims to assess the effectiveness and reliability of a new combined approach to treat the maxillary atrophy and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and other rhino-sinusal pathologies. This 1-step procedure consisting functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and maxillary sinus-lift with simultaneous implant placement for patients with a severe reabsorbed maxillary bone and sinuses' disease. In case of disventilation and maxillary sinuses flogosis, the mucociliary clearance and physiological ventilation have to be aided, in order to make a safer and predictable sinus-lift surgery...

Background/Aims: There are limited data about the relation between belching and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We aimed to evaluate belching in patients with IBS. Methods: Twenty-five patients with IBS and 12 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. IBS was diagnosed in accordance with the Rome III criteria. All patients were questioned about the presence of symptoms for belching, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and dyspepsia. Esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH-impedance were performed in all patients and healthy volunteers...

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an important health problem that presents serious social burdens and high costs. Our study investigated the efficacy of synbiotic (Bifidobacterium lactis B94 with inulin), probiotic (B. lactis B94), and prebiotic (inulin) treatment for IBS in a pediatric age group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was randomized, double-blind, controlled, and prospective in design and included 71 children between the ages of 4 and 16 years who were diagnosed with IBS according to the Rome III criteria...

The study objective was to evaluate the safety and effects of Lepicol® (pysllium fibre, inulin and 5 probiotic strains) in adults with chronic, functional constipation during a 4 week intervention. 69 subjects with functional constipation according to Rome III criteria were randomised to receive Lepicol (n = 35) or placebo (n = 34) daily. Both groups had improved frequency of bowel movements, with an increase of 1.082 bowel movements in the Lepicol group over placebo after one week, and 1.079 more than placebo after week 2, but with no significant difference at week 4...

BACKGROUNDS: Hemorrhoidectomy is considered the gold standard and the most effective and definitive treatment for grades 3 or 4 haemorrhoids, and Milligan-Morgan's and Ferguson's procedures are the most widely used techniques throughout the world. The aim of the study is to present our surgical technique using LigasureTM vessel sealing, focus on technical aspects and surgical tricks showing our results with a huge number of patients and a long-term follow-up. METHODS: Between June 2001 and June 2014 at the University Hospital of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy, 1000 patients were selected to underwent LigaSureTM hemorrhoidectomy for III and IV degree haemorrhoids...

Background/Aims: There is a need for a simple and practical tool adapted for the diagnosis of chronic constipation (CC) in the Asian population. This study compared the Asian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association (ANMA) CC tool and Rome III criteria for the diagnosis of CC in Asian subjects. Methods: This multicenter, cross-sectional study included subjects presenting at outpatient gastrointestinal clinics across Asia. Subjects with CC alert symptoms completed a combination Diagnosis Questionnaire to obtain a diagnosis based on 4 different diagnostic methods: self-defined, investigator's judgment, ANMA CC tool, and Rome III criteria...

OBJECTIVES: Disruption of the intestinal microbiota is considered an etiological factor in pediatric functional constipation. Scientifically based selection of potential beneficial probiotic strains in functional constipation therapy is not feasible due to insufficient knowledge of microbiota composition in affected subjects. The aim of this study was to describe microbial composition and diversity in children with functional constipation, compared to healthy controls. STUDY DESIGN: Fecal samples from 76 children diagnosed with functional constipation according to the Rome III criteria (median age 8...